Did you know that men can carry gene mutations that increase their risk of developing breast cancer, just like women can? Brad Hertz carries a BRCA2 gene mutation; he wants more men to understand their ability to carry these mutations alongside their health implications. Carriers are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer and other types of cancer. They can also pass their mutations to their children, regardless of their gender or the child’s gender. No matter what, the chance of passing it on is 50-percent. Still, Brad says some men are unable or unwilling to accept how they fit into the picture.
“I’ve heard of women who test positive, their mom tests negative, and their dad refuses to be tested,” Brad said.
Brad, who is now a vocal advocate for genetic testing, male breast cancer awareness, and broader education around how these mutations move through families, discovered his own mutation by accident on a consumer genetic test. He ordered the test to discover new cousins and familial connections. No one in Brad’s family had a history of any cancers associated with BRCA2 gene mutations in men. Needless to say, he was shocked by the information he received.
“I didn’t even knowingly choose the health part, I just thought for a few more dollars I would get the more deluxe edition,” he explained.
As fate would have it, Brad’s wife was undergoing treatment for breast cancer when he received his surprising genetic information. He chose to keep the news to himself in order to ensure that their familial focus remained on her treatment, care, and recovery. It was not until his wife tested negative for gene mutations herself that he felt it was necessary to share what he had learned.
“She came back without anything, and she said, ‘Oh good, I can tell the kids not to worry.’ I said, “Let’s not go there, let’s just tell them that you’re good,’ and then she asked why, and that’s when I had to tell her.”
The pair has two daughters and a son. They were thoughtful about how and when to tell their children. One thing was always clear: Brad felt his children should know.
“For me. it was never a question that once I knew I’d be talking to my siblings and spouse and kids. I feel like knowledge is power, even though that’s a cliche, but this is not a death sentence. This is something you can deal with, and I certainly would rather be with the knowledge than without.”
All three children carry the mutation; each reacted to the news quite differently. According to Brad, the oldest daughter was very upset by the news. While she did not initially take it well, her analytical and thoughtful nature prompted her to take action. She researched extensively and harvested her eggs. His son, who is very mindful of his health and activities, took his mutation in stride but felt very concerned about his sisters. Finally, the youngest daughter took six months to process the information before ultimately getting tested. Brad said she took her mutation relatively well.
The oldest felt like she was damaged goods and was very upset, but at the same time she was analytical and thoughtful and did a lot of research. She didn’t take it well, but she’s since harvested her eggs and she’s looking for a spouse. My son was very methodical, he’s a guy and gay and very thoughtful about his health and activities, anyway, deal with screening at 40 or 50, took it in stride but was concerned about his sisters, and then the younger daughter, by that time she knew that her two older siblings had the mutation and was sort of hoping that she would be part of the 50% that doesn’t inherit it. Took six months to sit on it, then tested positive, and took it pretty well.
While Brad was initially quiet about his own mutation, the more he learned about it, the more he recognized the need to speak up for the sake of education.
“I first felt like this is a scarlet letter, I can’t let anybody know. I’m a litigation attorney. If anyone thinks I have any type of weakness or one foot in the grave, it’ll be a problem. Then, I got over it. There is a lot of education missing out there, and so I’m happy to do my little part.”
As he works through his own screening, supports his children, and pursues a healthy lifestyle, he hopes that people facing genetic testing, screening, and gene mutations can reframe their experiences.
“My thinking about the knowledge is power is, look at the power I have to catch something early by getting diagnostic and screening tests. Sure there’s an inconvenience to it but every time I have a test and it comes back negative, it’s like a little new lease on life.”
You can learn more about men’s breast cancer, including how gene mutations impact men, through HIS Breast Cancer Awareness.
